"I'm a hockey fan, so I've always wanted to drive a Zamboni," said Gomoljak of College Park, referring to the large, lumbering machines that resurface ice rinks. "I see them at hockey games and think, That should be me on there!'"

Gomoljak got his chance to drive one Dec. 30, as he was among 16 people who attended a Zamboni-driving class at the Herbert Wells Ice Rink in College Park. Participants learned the ins and outs of the machine during the two-day course, which culminated with them each getting to take the boxy behemoth for a spin.

"I've tried to weasel my way onto one many times and it hasn't worked," said Josh Thom of Manassas, Va. "My wife gave this to me as a Christmas present and I was thrilled."

The first ice resurfacer was patented by Frank Zamboni in 1949. The machine has since become an iconic staple at hockey games and local rinks, its appearance often receiving the same applause and admiration reserved for a hat trick or perfectly landed Triple Axel.

Today, there are several brands of ice resurfacers, but the Zamboni brand remains most popular and its name has become virtually synonymous with the machine itself. The Wells Ice Rink has three Zambonis, which clean the ice, shave it down and distribute water to make new ice.

While the machines may appear effortless when circling the rink during hockey intermissions, they take serious training to operate, said Russell Barrett, the rink's head Zamboni operator.

"It's not like driving a car ... It requires 110 percent of your attention," said Barrett, adding that he's driven Zambonis for 20 years but isn't above the occasional mistake of putting down too much water or leaving a groove in the ice. "It's not difficult but you're always busy."

Each aspiring driver paid $100 ($120 for non-county residents) for the two-night class  taught by Barrett  which on the first night featured a facility tour, training video and practice run on dry land. After another video and some more pointers, the students finally took the ice on the second night.

"Wow, I can't believe I'm doing this!" said Jan Danek of Baltimore, moments after completing her five-minute tour on the ice, where she drove with some verbal guidance from an instructor. "It was very cool. I'm glad I got a chance to do it."

John Dennis of Harrisburg, Pa., was more succinct when talking to his brother, David Dennis of Germantown, moments after stepping off the machine.

This was the third class the rink offered in 2009, and its sixth since the program began in 2007. The last two classes have sold out quickly and Barrett said he hopes to have three classes this year, with the first held in March or April.

"Some other places might do this, but not to the extent that we do," Barrett said, adding that people from as far as Chicago and Calgary, Canada have called expressing interest in the class. "We had one guy come from St. Louis for our last class [in October]."

While most class members said they don't plan to make a career of driving an ice resurfacer, the chance to do it just once was something they'll never forget.

"Driving the Zamboni is the dream job that every 8-year-old boy seems to have," said Rob Bartolotta of College Park, "It's definitely a fun thing when you can say, Yes, I've done it.'"